Ok, let's put aside that every book like this will be eternally compared to Harry Potter and that most will come up short. This wasn't too bad an opening, all things considered.

I like that the protagonist doesn't start out cookie cutter good. Given the mythos that Riordan builds, I do find Percy a sympathetic hero that might have some room to grow, though don't go looking for any character development in this one (especially any of the supporting characters). The plot evolution is unfortunately too formulaic as well (though I'm glad Riordan get's Percy out of school for most of the book). Essentially it's Meet God, Meet Monster (destroy/flee), Meet Monster (destroy/flee), Meet God, Meet Monster, Meet Monster, Meet God. I'm hoping now that Riordan has laid out the Greek Gods, he will focus on the characters and hopefully all the "half bloods" aren't caricatures of their parents like they are in this installment.

The plot line reminds me of [a:Neil Gaiman|1221698|Neil Gaiman|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1234150163p2/1221698.jpg]'s [b:American Gods|4407|American Gods|Neil Gaiman|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1258417001s/4407.jpg|1970226] and it is sufficiently developed that I will pick up the second installment, hoping there is some evolution along the character front.